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Beach Drive closures to begin September 22

This news release was updated on Sept. 13 to reflect the change in closure date from Sept. 19 to Sept. 22.

WASHINGTON – Beach Drive will close 24/7 in both directions on September 22, from Tilden Street NW to where Beach Drive begins at Rock Creek & Potomac Parkway below the Omni Shoreham hotel. Stay up to date by visiting go.nps.gov/beachdrive and signing up for Nixle alerts by texting BEACHDRIVE to 888777.

The three-year rehabilitation project will cover 6.5 miles of full-depth pavement reconstruction. Work will be divided into four segments, each lasting six to eight months. The project schedule, primary and alternate detour route maps, road work updates and closures will be posted prior to each segment on go.nps.gov/beachdrive. This website is meant to provide drivers, cyclists, pedestrians and park neighbors with accurate information to plan their trips through and around Rock Creek Park.

Detours will use a combination of D.C. streets and park roads. Bike and pedestrian detours will be signed and maintained at all times during construction. One and one-half miles of trail reconstruction and widening will also occur. To ensure everyone’s safety, vehicles, bikes and pedestrians are prohibited from entering the closed construction zone. These closures will be enforced by the United States Park Police.

During the first segment, reconstruction will include Beach Drive, from Shoreham Drive to Tilden Street, the Rock Creek trail, rehabilitation of the Zoo Tunnel (including sidewalk widening), the ramp to Harvard Street, and streetlight and traffic signal replacement at Tilden St. Access to the National Zoo driveway and Harvard Street Ramp from Beach Drive will be closed during the first segment.

The NPS will use Nixle to provide upcoming closure and critical project information We encourage everyone to register for this free service that allows information to be sent through text, email, social media and the Nixle mobile app. You can register on either your mobile phone or online at nixle.com. To receive alerts about the Beach Drive rehabilitation project, text BEACHDRIVE to 888777. To register online, visit www.nixle.com and create a user profile. After you register, you will receive information about the Beach Drive rehabilitation project including upcoming closure and detour information. You can opt out at any time. Standard carrier data or messaging rates may apply.

Three informational public meetings were held during July and August, prior to construction, to discuss the rehabilitation project, share information and answer questions.

Beach Drive was originally designed to provide recreational access to America’s first urban national park. More than 12 million vehicles use Beach Drive each year, and 40,000 of those people recreate on Beach Drive on the weekends. NPS currently spends more than $75,000 per year on temporary pothole and patch repairs, and Beach Drive’s pavement has long surpassed its service life. These temporary repairs are no longer viable options, and this reconstruction is necessary.